Acetylene-gas generator.



PATENTED DEC. 1, 1903.

J. J. HENDLER.

ACBTYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.12, 1902. no MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

waive/556s: v

m: Noams pzrzns co. Pnuroumn, WASHINGTON, 0 cv PATENTED DEC. 1 1963.

J. J. HENDLBR.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED DEG.12, 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

B0 MODEL.

Patented December 1, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN J. HENDLER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ACETYLENE-GAS GENERATOR.

PECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 745,837, dated December1, 1903.

Application filed EGG 1902- Serial No. 134,930. (No model.)

I?) (1 whom it may, concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN J. HENDLER, acitizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois,liaveinveuted certain new and usefulImprovements in Acetylene-GasGenerators; and I do hereby declare the following-to be a full, clear,

and exact description of the invention, such as will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to a novel construction in an apparatus forgenerating acetylene or similar gases, the object being to provide agenerator which is simple and efficient and which is particularlyadapted for use where it is subjected to a great deal of jolting, as oncars and other vehicles, and which can advantageously be constructed forlarge or small capacity, and particularly in portable sizes; and itconsists in the features of construction and combinations of partshereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings,illustrating my invention, Figure 1 is acentral section of a generator constructed in accordance with myinvention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of my generator, the valvecontrolling the gasoutlet being removed. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectionof the same on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

My said generator is of that type in which the water is fed to thecalcium carbid, as distinguished from that type in which the carbid isfed to an excess of water.

The generator consists of a central cylindrical chamber 1, open at itsupper end. The said chamber 1 is surrounded at its upper end with anannular water-reservoir 2, which is connected by means of a verticalduct 3 with the lowerend of said chamber 1, the latter being provided atits lower end, just above the bottom, with an opening 4:, communicatingwith said duct 3. Leading from said lower end of said chamber 1 is awater-outlet 5, closed by means of a plug (3, through which the watercontained in said chambers 1 and 2 can be drained off. Secured t0 andsurrounding the lower end portion of said chamber l is aninverted-tnnnel-shaped perforated sheet-metal base 7, having a bottom 8,which serves to more firmly support the generator to prevent tippingthereof. Leading from the upper end of said chamber 1 is a blow-off pipe9, which passes partly through and emerges from-the top of said annularWaterchamber 2 and is enlarged immediately above the latter, as at 10,said enlarged portion being provided with a perforated plate 11 in itslower end, against which water thrown up by escaping gas impinges and isprevented from passing. A vertical duct 12 leads from the mouth of saidblow-off pipe 9 to a point below the middle of said chamber 1, theescaping gas being obliged to enter the lowerend ofsaid duct 12 in orderto pass out through said pipe 9. The said chamber 1 is closed by meansof a cover 13 fitting over same and which is secured in place by meansof a plurality of lugs 14, one of which enters an opening in aprojection 15 on the wall of the chamber. 2 and the others of which arereceived in pivoted clamps 16 and engaged by set-screws 17 in saidclamps, and thereby forced down to compress a rubber washer 18,interposed between said cover 13 and the upper wall of said chamber 2,thereby forming a gas-tight joint between the chamber 1 and said cover13. Secured to the said cover 13 is a gasdelivery pipe 19, controlled bya valve 20 and connected,by means of a flexible pipe 21,with a purifier.To the lower face of said cover 13 is secured a receptacle 23, adaptedto receive a gas scrubbing and drying material, which is introducedthrough a hinged gate 24: on the lower end of said receptacle, said gatebeing perforated to readily admit the gas. The said pipe 19 enters saidreceptacle at its upper end. left between the upper wall of saidreceptacle 23'and said cover 13, to which air is admitted throughperforations 26 in said cover. The said chamber 1 receives a cylindricalcarbid-receptacle 27, which is open at the top and provided on itsbottom with supportinglegs 28. The said receptacle 27 is of smallerdiameter than the chamber 1, so as to provide an annular water-chamber29 between the same, the water contained in same serving to keep thecontents of said receptacle cool. One or more pipes or ducts 30 leadfrom said receptacle.

A space 25 is preferably preferably vertically adjustable in height bymeans of nuts 31, engaging the lower screwthreaded ends of said pipes30, and which are revolubly secured to the bottom of said chamber 1, thejoints between said pipes 30 and the bottom of said receptacle 27 beingsuitably packed to prevent leakage. In each of said pipes 30 a wire 32is inserted, the projecting ends of which are looped to prevent removal,said wires 32 serving as a means for cleaning said pipes and also toreduce the flow of water therethrough. Within said receptacle27,whichforms the generating-chamber, is a tripod or spider 33, composedof'three perforated plates of sheet metal, which serves to divide saidreceptacle into three parts, each of which contains carbid and each ofwhich is fed by one of said pipes 30. The said tripod or spider 33serves only to hold the carbid bodies separate and provide betterfacilities for the expansion of the refuse res ulting from itsdecomposition and, further, to render removal of such refuse easier. Thesaid tripod is'not essential to the operation of the generator and maybe omitted. upper end said receptacle 27 is provided with perforations,through which communication between the same and the chamber 1 isestablished above the water-level in the latter. These "perforations arenot essential, for the reason that no tight joint is formed between theupper end of said receptacle 27 and said cover or the outer wall of thereceptacle 23, which projects into the said receptacle 27. In order tohold the latter concentric with the chamber 1, the legs 28 thereof areinclined outwardly, so as to come in contact with the inner wall of thechamber 1, and on the outer wall of the receptacle 23 I provide aplurality of inclined sheet-metal projections 34:, which engage theinner edge of the upper end of the receptacle 27 and serve the doublepurpose of centering same relatively to the chamber l and holding saidreceptacle firmly down in the latter to prevent it from floating.

The operation of my generator is as follows: All reservoirs orreceptacles being empty, the receptacle 27 (which is provided with abail 35) is partially filled with the requisite charge of carbid(preferably in lumps), and is then inserted in the chamber 1 and thecover 13 secured in place thereon, the valve 20 being closed. Thereservoir 2 is then completely filled to overflowing with water throughthe inlet 86, which is closed by means of a plug 37, provided with anair-vent 38. When said reservoir 2 has been so tilled,the valve 20 (andsuch other valves as may be requisite to establish communication withthe outer air through one or more burners)is opened,whereupon the waterwill rise in the annular chamber 29 and likewise in the pipe or pipes 30until it flows out of the tops of the latter and trickles down same indrops, as indicated by the black dots in Fig. 1. As soon as this watercomes in contact with the carbid gas is generated, which causes anincrease in the pres- At its sure in chamber 1 and forces the water inchamber 29 downwardly and stops the flow upon the carbid. WVhen thepressure again recedes, the flow on the carbid is repeated, such actioncontinuing at intervals, depending upon the capacity of the outlets. Theair contained in the chamber 1 and the servicepipes is thus exhaustedand replaced by gas, which is ignited at the burner or burners as soonas sufficient air has been exhausted. The gas-pressure is determined bythe difference between the height of the water-level in the reservoir 2and that in the chamber 29, the maximum height of the level in thelatter being determined by the height of the pipes 30, so that thenormal working pressure is equal to the difference between the height ofthe pipes 30 and the water-level in the reservoir 2; but such pressureis obviously constant-1y varied to a slight degree. As soon as the valve20 is opened the water-level in the reservoir 2 obviously sinks, for thereason that the chamber 29 is filled therefrom, and thereafter remainssubstantially as shown in Fig. 1. If at any time a superabundance of gasis generatedas, for instance, by suddenly reducing the consumption byextinguishing a number of or all burners at oncesuch gas will force downthe water-level in chamber 29 until the lower end of the duct 12,leading to the blow-off, is uncovered, whereupon the excess gas willobviously escape. The waterlevel in the blow-off will obviously coincidewith that in the reservoir, and the excess gas in escaping must. bubbleup through the water. This will sometimes cause the water to be forcedup into the enlarged portion 10 of the blow-off where it strikes theplate lland is divided to allow the as to pass through the perforationsin said plate. In order to make the escape of gas through said blow-offdifficult, I have so arranged the duct 3 that it extends above thenormal water-level in the reservoir 2 and provide an opening 40 in saidduct 3 at the bottom of said reservoir 2. Thus if at any time there is asudden rise in gas-pressure the water in being forced out of the chamber29 cannot readily flow back into the reservoir 2 through said opening40, and hence a part of such water will be forced to overflow the upperend of said duct 3. This will of course cause resistance against releaseof such pressure, and by hindering rapid release the consumption at theburners will be momentarily increased, thereby consuming,

as much of the excess gas as possible and preventing its escape throughthe blow-0E. After the carbid is entirely or almost entirely decomposedthe receptacle 27 will obviously be fiooded and every particle of thecarbid used. The water surrounding the generating-chamber absorbs theheat liberated during generation and prevents freezing in case ofexposure of the generation, thus rendering the same better fitted foruse on vehicles, cars, and in exposed places than generators of othertypes. Jolting does not afiect the generator tease-r to cause excessgeneration and does not affect the uniformity and steadiness of thelight in any manner. Removal of the cover 13 while the generator is inoperation causes immediate extinction of the lights and causes thereceptacle 27 to float in the chamber 1, and thus prevents access ofwater thereto, so that the generator is perfectly safe at all times. Thewater remains perfectly clear and free from residuum, and, owing to thevery small surface exposed to the action of the gas, such water absorbsonly very little, and hence there is no waste from this source.

In order to facilitate handling of the generator, I provide handles 41thereon, which are pivotally secured at diametrically opposite points tothe walls of water-reservoir 2.

I claim as my invention- 1. In an acetylene-gas generator, thecombination with a chamber open atits upper end, a water-reservoiradjacent the upper end and outside of said chamber, connection betweensaid water-reservoir and the lower end of said chamber, means forsealing said chamber, and a gas-outlet therefrom, of a removablecarbid-receptacle adapted to enter said chamber, tubes carried bysaidreceptacle and leading from the bottom thereof and discharging in theend thereof and forming a water connection between said chamber andreceptacle, and connection between the upper ends of said chamberandreceptacle above the normal water-level in the former.

2. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with a chamberopen atits upper end, a water-reservoir adjacent the upper end and outside ofsaid chamber, connection between said water-reservoir and the lower endof said chamber, means for sealing said chamber, and a gas-outlettherefrom, of a carbid-receptz'tcle adapted to enter said chamber, tubesleading from the bottom of said receptacle to a point above the level ofthe carbid therein and forming a water connection between said chamberand receptacle, connection between the upper ends of said chamber andreceptacle above the normal water-level in the former, and connectionbetween said chamber and a gas-escape pipe below the normal watenlevelin said chamber.

3. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with a chamberopen atits upper end, a water-reservoir outside of and adjacent the upper endof said chamber, connection between said water-reservoir and the lowerend of said chamber, a cover for sealing said chamber, and a gas-outlettherefrom, of a carbid-receptacle closed at its lower end and open atits upper end adapted to fit loosely within said chamber and besurrounded by the water therein, water-feed connection between saidcarbid-receptacle and said chamber above the level of carbid in saidreceptacle, gas connection between the upper ends of said receptacle andsaid chamber, and means for verticallyadjusting said water connectionbetween said chamber and said recep-' tacle.

4. in an acetylene-gas generator, the combination'with achamberopenatits upperend, a water-reservoir outside of and adjacent the upper endof said chamber, connection between said water-reservoir and the lowerend of said chamber, a cover for sealing said chamber, and a gas-outlettherefrom, of a carbid-receptacle closed at its lower end and open atits upper end adapted to fit loosely within said chamber and besurrounded by the water therein, wateufeed connection between saidcarbid-receptacle and said chamber above the level of carbid in saidreceptacle, gas connection between the upper ends of said receptacle andsaid chamber, means for vertically adjusting said water connectionbetween said chamber and said receptacle to vary the gas-pressure, andconnection between said chamber and a blow-off below the waterconnection between said chamber and receptacle.

5. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with a chamber openatits upper end, a waterreservoir surrounding said chamber at its upperend, connection between said water-reservoir and the lower end of saidchamber by means of a duct having openings above and below the normalwater-level in said reservoir, a cover for sealing said chamber, and agas-outlet therefrom, of a carbidreceptacle adapted to fit looselywithin said chamber, water-feed connection between said chamber and saidreceptacle above the level of the carbid in the latter and below thenormal water-level in the former, and gas connection between saidreceptacle and said chamber above the normal water-level in the latter.

6. In an acetylene-gas generator, the coin bination with a chamber openat its upper end, a water-reservoir surrounding said chamber at itsupper end, connection between said water-reservoir and the lower end ofsaid chamber by means of a duct having openings above and below thenormal water-level in said reservoir, a cover for sealing said chamber,and a gas-outlet therefrom, of a carbidreceptacle adapted to fit looselywithin said chamber, water-feed connection between said chamber and saidreceptacle above the level of the carbid in the latter and below thenor-' mal water-level in the former, gas connection between saidreceptacle and said chamber above the normal water-level in the latter,and connection between said chamber and a blow-off below the waterconnection between said chamber and said receptacle.

7. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with a chamberopen atits upper end, a water-reservoir surrounding said chamber at its upperend, a vertical duct leading from a point within and above thewater-level in said reservoir to the lower end of said chamber, a smallopening in said duct at the bot- &

tom of said reservoir, a cover for sealing said chamber, and agas-outlettherefrom, of a carbid-receptacle adapted to be centrally supported insaid chamber and surrounded by the water therein, water-feed connectionbetween said chamber and said receptacle above the level of the carbidin the latter and below the water-level in said reservoir, gasconnection between the upper ends of said receptacle and said chamber,and means for vertically adjusting the said water-feed connection,whereby the normal gas-pressure is varied.

8. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with a chamber open atits upperend, a water-reservoir surrounding said chamber at its upperend, a vertical duct leading from a point within and above thewater-level in said reservoir to the lower end of said chamber, a smallopening in said duct at the bottom of said reservoir, a cover forsealing said chamber, and a gas-outlet therefrom, of a carbid-receptacleadapted to be centrally supported in said chamber and surrounded by thewater therein, water-feed connection between said chamber and saidreceptacle above the level of the carbid in the latter and below thewater-level in said reservoir, gas connection between the upper ends ofsaid receptacle and said chamber, means for vertically adjusting thesaid waterfeed connection, whereby the normal gas-pressure may bevaried, and a vertical blow off having connection at its lower end withsaid chamber below said water-feed connection between the latter andsaid receptacle.

9. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with a centralcylindrical chamber open at its upper end, a water-reservoir surroundingsaid chamber at its upper end, connection between said water-reservoirand the lower end of said chamber, a cover for sealing said chamber, anda gas-outlet therefrom, of a cylindrical carbid-receptacle open at itsupper end adapted to be supported concentrically within said chamber'andabove the bottom thereof, vertically-adjustable tubes leading from thespace below said receptacle into latterand terminating at points abovethe carbid-level therein and below the waterlevel in said reservoir, andgas connection between the upper ends of said receptacle and saidchamber.

10. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with a centralcylindrical chamber open at its upper end, a water-reservoir surroundingsaid chamber at its upper end, connection between said water-reservoirand the lower end of said chamber, a cover for sealing said chamber, anda gas-outlet therefrom, of a cylindrical carbid-receptacle open at itsupper end adapted to be supported concentrically within said chamber andabove the.

bottom thereof, vertically-adjustable tubes leading from the space belowsaid receptacle into latter and terminating at points above thecarbid-level therein and below the waterlevel in said reservoir, gasconnection between the upper end of said chamber and receptacle, andconnection between said chamber and a blow-off below the level of theupper ends of said tubes.

11. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with a cylindricalchamber open at its upper end, a Water-reservoir adjacentihe upper endof said chamber, a duct leading from a point within and above thewaterlevel of said reservoir to the lower end of said chamber, a smallopening in said duct below the water-level of said reservoir, means forsealingsaid chamber, and a gas-outlet therefrom, of a cylindrical carbidreceptacle adapted to be supported concentrically within said chamberabove the bottom thereof, a vertically-adjustable tube passing throughthe bottom of said receptacle and forming a water-inlet into saidreceptacle above the level of the carbid therein, and below thewater-level in said reservoir, gas connection between the upper end ofsaid receptacle and said chamber, and a blow-ofi leading from saidchamber at a point below the outlet end of said tube, the generation ofgas being adapted to maintain the waterlevel in said chamber normally ona level with the outlet end of said tube, excessive generation beingadapted to force said water back into the reservoir, such passage beingresisted by the small opening in said duct, thereby preventing rapidrelease of the excess pressure and preventing superfluous waste throughthe blow-off.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN J. HENDLER.

Witnesses:

RUDOLPH WM. LOTZ, WM. B. SNowHooK.

